yup, I live 5 mins away from this event :P
You have no idea how people here used to talk about the Bakker, like he was gonna be a top-20 player for sure, and probably even top-10... Haase was a little worse, so he would make top-25 or something..

Dutch tennis is a joke, this entire generation is a bunch of pushers with no incentive to become better players (with the exception of Haase, who is a pusher, but at least has the drive).

I miss Verkerk

EDIT: and just as I finished this rant, the idiotic commentator was ecstatic about the Bakker playing ONE good point and says "here you see why he is potentially a top-20 player"

yup, I live 5 mins away from this event :P
You have no idea how people here used to talk about the Bakker, like he was gonna be a top-20 player for sure, and probably even top-10... Haase was a little worse, so he would make top-25 or something..

Dutch tennis is a joke, this entire generation is a bunch of pushers with no incentive to become better players (with the exception of Haase, who is a pusher, but at least has the drive).

preaching to the choir here. I was quite vocal about not thinking that his being in my neighbourhood was an intelligent decision.

And I'm still convinced the Swiss team could win this without Federer.

It's all very psychological. After last year's disappointing loss for him vs. Djokovic, he took an exhausting trip to Australia and the Swiss played well and beat Australia in the Davis Cup tie there. Federer took a rest and then came back highly energized to sweep all matches and tournaments for the rest of the year.

So after this year's disappointing loss in the US Open to Berdych, Federer's probably looking to repeat the scenario. Netherlands is clay not grass but is much closer than Australia. Best scenario for him would be to win Shanghai, win at Basel, then skip or exit early in Paris to be have full energy in London for the Master's cup (WTF).

yup, I live 5 mins away from this event :P
You have no idea how people here used to talk about the Bakker, like he was gonna be a top-20 player for sure, and probably even top-10... Haase was a little worse, so he would make top-25 or something..

Dutch tennis is a joke, this entire generation is a bunch of pushers with no incentive to become better players (with the exception of Haase, who is a pusher, but at least has the drive).

I miss Verkerk

EDIT: and just as I finished this rant, the idiotic commentator was ecstatic about the Bakker playing ONE good point and says "here you see why he is potentially a top-20 player"

Nice! Hope you get a chance to make it to some of the matches this weekend.

Too bad Sijsling wasn't feeling well. He's played well at times and likes to volley.